A complexidade visual e o impacto emocional das ilustrações de Dungeons & Dragons: um estudo de design

Abstract

An analysis of the evolution of Dungeons & Dragons illustrations through Its editions demonstrates their significance in fostering user immersion. The research examines how these illustrations exhibit different levels of complexity (Facet Theory) through aspects like Visual Load, Detail, Color and Contrast, Composition, and Visual Narrative, following the guidelines of Mendes (2019). Gestalt principles support the analysis, while the circumplex model of emotions by Hekkert and Desmet (2007) is used to relate the technical characteristics observed in the illustrations with the emotions felt by the users. The research was guided using the Double Diamond methodology to formally structure the work, dividing it into phases and subphases; subsequently, forms and tools such as moodboards and personas were applied with the intention of discovering the average profile of RPG users/players and their preferences. Once in possession of this information, selections were applied to decide what type of illustration would be analyzed. The analysis was divided into ‘editions’ and ‘complexity’, and at the end of the analysis, illustration recommendations based on the emotions intended to be conveyed could be compiled into a table. The main results are: the public's preference for low complexity illustrations, followed by medium and finally high complexity, and also the frequency of emotions: awaiting, deferent, calm, for low complexity Illustrations; astonishment, eagerness, curiosity, for low, medium and high complexity; and irritation, disgust and alert, for the high complexity ones. The study then offers pertinent information to designers, illustrators and visual artists, assisting in the conception or analysis of RPG illustrations and demonstrating how Design acts as a link between visual characteristics and the emotions arising from them, providing recommendations that can be used as a foundation for the conception of RPG illustrations.